This neighborhood-favorite comfort food counter serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner from inside the Long Room. Home to what may be Ravenswood’s best fried chicken sandwich, this biscuit-focused spot offers a slew of yummy handhelds, including a breakfast BLT biscuit, a spicy chicken club wrap, and a stuffed breakfast burrito.

★ Biscuit Man 5th Anniversary Logo T-Shirt ($20)

Your friends will look sharp in this Biscuit Man 5 year anniversary t-shirt! This refresh of the classic logo by designer Sam Jorden is printed by Modest Merch and available in Unisex or Ladies cuts.

Website: www.biscuitmanchicago.com

Based along the Ravenswood corridor, Cape Horn was founded by artists Katie Lauffenburger and Phil Thompson. The duo creates work dedicated to architecture, history, and the city, with a special love for Chicago. Cape Horn’s online shop features drawings of classic home styles and icons of the city, ceramics, and illustrated maps.

★ Chicago Bungalow Pin ($12)

Wearable art from Cape Horn Illustration? Yes please! Liven up a backpack, jacket, or hat with this eye-catching pin. Perfect for Chicago architecture and history nerds.

Website: www.capehorn-illustration.com

Beloved late-night dive Carol’s Pub has been a popular spot for cheap beer and live country music for decades. Known as a destination honkey-tonk and one of “the craziest late night bars in Chicago (Thrillist), Carol’s recently re-opened under new ownership and has become a welcome addition to Ravenswood’s late night scene.

★ Carol’s Pub Sign Shirt ($25)

Carol’s new merch store has a couple of cool offerings, none more recognizable than the Carol’s Pub sign and lights. Looks great with dnim jeans and pairs perfectly with a cold bottle of Lone Star.

Website: www.carolschicago.com

CHIRP is a volunteer-driven, community radio station that focuses on music, arts, and culture. The station can be heard on the north side of Chicago at 107.1FM and worldwide at chirpradio.org. CHIRP Radio plays a wide mix of local, independent, lesser-heard, and just generally good music from a variety of genres and eras. They also regularly feature conversations with artists, activists, and other interesting people.

★ CHIRP Flag Mask ($20)

These masks are locally made by PrideMasks and come in two styles: Chicago flag-inspired (pictured) and a red bird CHIRP logo version. Both were designed by CHIRP’s own Tony Breed.

Website: www.chirpradio.org

Located in the historic Ravenswood Industrial Corridor, DEFY Mfg. has gained fans across the world who seek out their expertly-crafted, handmade bags and accessories.

★ The Bandit Mask ($24)

The Bandit was named one of the “Best Face Masks for Men With Beards,” thanks to some praise from the vice president of something called Beard Team USA. While the outside of DEFY’s mask is made of denim, the interior is lined with a supersoft Micro French Twill, making it cozy against the face.

Website: www.defybags.com

“We brew like monks, minus the vows.” Dovetail founders Hagen and Bill met in Germany while earning their Master Brewer certifications from the Siebel Institute. Bonding over their mutual interest in continental European beer styles, the two formed a friendship that has resulted an exciting young brewery dedicated to old world brewing methods.

★ Dovetail Winter Beanie with Pom ($20)

Stay cute and warm all winter long in this beanie with a pom-pom! Perfect for the German beer fan in your life, or that friend with perpetual bed-head.

Website: www.dovetailbrewery.com

Empirical is the largest start-up brewhouse in Chicago’s history and home for everything nerdy. They brew a broad variety of styles, including Wild Ales, Lagers, Kettle Sours, B.A. Imperial Stouts, and everything hoppy. No matter your palate, Empirical has a beer for you.

★ Empirical Brewery Beer Nerd Shirt ($20)

If this one word sums up a friend, this is the shirt for you. Chicago is full of beer nerds, especially along Malt Row. They’re not usually hard to spot, but this shirt with make the process dummy-proof!

Website: www.empiricalbrewery.com

Keeping Together is the latest project from Master Cicerone Averie Swanson, formerly of renowned Austin TX brewery Jester King. Launched in 2019, Keeping Together focuses on brewing mixed culture beers and spontaneous fermentation, or as Averie puts it, “a collaboration between myself and the mixed culture of yeast and bacteria used to make them.”

★ Keeping Together Tote Bag ($14)

Keeping Together’s ‘The Art of Holding Space’ tote is stylish, practical, with plenty of room for your local brews. It’s a fantastic gift for some of your more artsy friends, beer lovers or not.

Website: www.keepingtogether.com

KOVAL’s memorable line of whiskey, gin, and specialty spirits uses unique locally-sourced grains, signature “heart cut” techniques, and only the best quality distillate. Located in the historic Ravenswood Industrial Corridor, KOVAL is frequently awarded internationally for its bright flavors and eye for design.

★ KOVAL Enamel Cocktail Pins – ($3-5)

Who doesn’t want a pin from Chicago’s first post-prohibition distillery? These KOVAL-designed enamel pins are perfect gifts for out-of-towners and locals alike. The complete set includes the KOVAL logo in black and white, as well as a Cranberry Gin Spritz, Martini, Old Fashioned, and a Still/Skyline design.

Website: www.koval-distillery.com

Located in Ravenswood since 2003, Lillstreet is a community of artists and students working side-by-side. The Art Center offers space to create, connect, and find community. Lillstreet has classes for all ages and all skill levels in mediums like Ceramics, Painting & Drawing, Metalsmithing & Jewelry, Printmaking, Textiles, Photography and more.

★ Lillstreet Art Center Embroidered Baseball Hat ($25)

Perfect for the workshop, the yard, or the ballpark! This classic Lillstreet baseball cap will look great atop the dome of your loved ones. 100% cotton denim fabric and an adjustable strap, one size fits most. Looks even better when splattered with paint!

Website: www.lillstreet.com

This cozy coffee house and tavern has been a Ravenswood institution for two decades. Recently, the Long Room has impressed with their to-go cocktail program. These expertly crafted bottles of joy have helped keep neighbors sane throughout lockdown. The menu features a mix of seasonally-inspired and classic cocktails like the Toddy Appleseed and the Long Room Negroni.

★ Long Room Hoodie ($40)

Fresh off the screen press and ready for the weather, these new limited-edition Long Room hoodies feature the tavern name on the front, and an illustration of the iconic tavern across the back. Comfortable, stylish, and so very very Ravenswood.

Website: www.longroomchicago.com

Recently returned to Lincoln Square, Neighborly offers home goods, gifts and artwork that are handmade, fair trade, or eco-friendly. The shop also freatures work from Ravenswood-based Ork Posters, creator of the typographic city neighborhood map.

★ Chicago Neighborhood Map Baby One-Piece ($18)

Cover your favorite baby in this Chicago neighborhoods map from Ork Poster and they’ll never get lost! These ethically-made onesies are locally printed on 100% organic cotton. If you love the map, it’s available in prints and adult-sized shirts as well.

Website: www.neighborlyshop.com

Located just steps from the Ravenswood Metra Station, VIN312 Winery is a convenient local option that always has something creative available. Their small batch blends often sell out fast, in some cases getting scooped up by “Wine Club” members before they ever hit the market.

★ VIN312 Premium Corkscrew ($13)

Perhaps now more than ever, being able to quickly opening a bottle of wine is critical. Having the right too for the job is vital. Here to handle the many complicated and difficult corks on the horizon, the VIN312 corkscrew is now available to the public. A perfect addition to any of wine bundle or booze-themed gift, this spring-action hinge eliminates one of the most common obstacles to enjoying a bottle of wine.

Website: www.vin312.com